Stadium group meets for first time

The New Stadium Working Group met for the first time in the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center Tuesday afternoon. The panel is made up of representatives from the state, Erie County and the Buffalo Bills.

After meeting for nearly two hours, Bills President and CEO Russ Brandon told reporters the discussion was very productive. But Brandon says it's premature to focus on building a new stadium or more renovations for Ralph Wilson Stadium.

Bills President Russ Brandon with County Executive Mark Poloncarz

Credit Photo by Chris Caya / WBFO News

"We're going to spend a lot of time going through information and facts and market research as we move forward," Brandon said. "We're going to have the facts and information help pave the road to what the foundation of our thought process is moving forward."

Lt. Governor Robert Duffy says the group's goal is to make sure the Bills stay in Buffalo. But Duffy says they can't let emotions get in the way.

"For a first meeting with the complexities that this group will face as an advisory body, I thought it was a great meeting," Duffy said. "And so we have a lot of work to do but we understand the seriousness, we understand the urgency and we understand how people feel about the Buffalo Bills. We all feel exactly the same way."

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz says no particular item was resolved at the meeting. Poloncarz says coming up with a recommendation could take up to two years.